In a message dated 24/02/2005 17:55:50 GMT Standard Time, mdececo@cox.net writes: While I'm on the subject, is there a good guide to county formations? I"m sure the boundaries changed from time to time as they did here in the US. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> County is a not part of the name of English counties, with the sole exception of County Durham, where it precedes the main part of the name in the same way as in all Irish counties. The boundaries of the ancient counties have not changed, but England & Wales have had more administrative boundary changes than most other countries. These sites may help. British Counties, Parishes, etc. for Genealogists http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/%7Ejimella/counties.htm Geography - Beginners guide http://www.statistics.gov.uk/geography/beginners_guide.asp Association of British Counties - Frequently asked questions http://www.abcounties.co.uk/FAQ.htm#question1 Administrative Units Typology _http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/au_ft/home_page.jsp_ (http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/au_ft/home_page.jsp) Traditional counties of England _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_counties_of_England_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_counties_of_England) Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org